About the Gold Cup Parade

The Gold Cup Parade is the largest parade east of Montreal. Every year the Parade attracts entries from businesses, communities and organizations from across the Maritimes; multiple marching bands from the Maritimes, Quebec and, occasionally, from the United States, as well as numerous horse, antique car and clown entries. The Parade also features the much-loved huge cold air-filled balloons brought from Windsor, Ontario.

As the Parade has grown, so have the spectators, to where it is now estimated that close to 60,000 spectators line the streets of Charlottetown to participate in the “Great Island Tradition” plus the viewers of Eastlink TV across PEI and Nova Scotia. The Gold Cup Parade generates increased business activity in service industries, including hotels, restaurants, service stations and retail establishments. As well, our parade is an Island mainstay that contributes to “Islanders’” pride and sense of tradition.

The Parade Coordinator is Charlotte Nicholson.

Steering Committee

Ray Murphy, Chair

Lee Drake

Jennifer Evans

Danny Murphy

Tanya O’Brien

Organizing Committee

Zack Bell

 Debbie Doucette

Jenna Doucette

Albert Kays

Heather MacAulay

Sheryl MacAulay 

Dylan McKee

 

Jacki Murphy

Paul Murray 

Jonathan Mosher

Shannon Munn

Ben Parsons

Vanessa Smith

Derek Tweel

 

 

History

The Gold Cup and Saucer Race (1960) and The Gold Cup Parade (1962) were founded by Frank Acorn and Bill Hancox for the purpose of:

  1. Reviving Old Home Week which, prior to 1960, was beginning to lose audience appeal
  2. To focus attention on P.E.I.’s harness racing industry, while providing an exciting type of entertainment for both Islanders and summer visitors

The Parade has been held every year since that time, and has become one of the feature events of the summer season on the Island.

In the early days, the organization was a loosely knit group of businessman who assisted the Charlottetown Driving Park in putting together the parade.

But as the parade grew, it became a totally separate organization with the sole purpose of presenting the Gold Cup Parade as one of the premier events of Old Home Week. In 1986, the group incorporated as a not for profit company under the name The Charlottetown Parade Committee Inc. and owns the name The Gold Cup Parade.

The organization is currently run by a volunteer board of directors from local businesses. The Chair of the Gold Cup Parade Committee is Ray Murphy of Murphy’s Pharmacies.

Awards

2024 Award Categories and Winners

Most Memorable
Sponsored by ADL
ProColor Collision Charlottetown

Most Energetic
Sponsored by Sterns Launderers & Dry Cleaners
RE/MAX

Best First Time Entry
Sponsored by McDonald’s
Havenwood Studios

Best Presentation of Gold Cup Parade Theme
Sponsored by Domino’s Pizza
Charlottetown Mitsubishi

Judges’ Choice
Sponsored by YYG Airport
Chinese Society of PEI

Best Band
Sponsored by Island First Aid
Community Clash band

2023 Award Categories and Winners

Most Memorable
Sponsored by YYG Charlottetown Airport
Pinette Raceway

Most Energetic
Sponsored by Sterns Launderers & Dry Cleaners
Rush: Bahamian Culture

Best First Time Entry
Sponsored by McDonald’s
Hansen Solar Energy

Best Presentation of Gold Cup Parade Theme
Sponsored by Domino’s Pizza
City of Charlottetown

Judges’ Choice
Sponsored by ADL
Chinese Society of PEI

Best Band
Sponsored by Downtown Charlottetown Inc. 
Community Clash Band

2022 Award Categories and Winners

Most Memorable
Sponsored by RBC
Bernadette’s Flowers

Most Energetic
Sponsored by Sterns Launderers & Dry Cleaners
Rush: Bahamian Culture

Best First Time Entry
Sponsored by McDonald’s
Steel Heels Automotive Service & Repair

Best Presentation of Gold Cup Parade Theme
Sponsored by Domino’s Pizza
 RE/MAX 

Judges’ Choice
Sponsored by ADL
Community Clash Band

Best Band
Sponsored by Downtown Charlottetown Inc. 
Burlington Teen Tour Band

2019 Award Categories and Winners

Most Memorable
Sponsored by Downtown Charlottetown Inc.
Dreams Take Flight

Most Energetic
Sponsored by ADL
Ocean 100

Best First Time Entry
Sponsored by RBC
Charlottetown Mitsubishi

Best Presentation of Gold Cup Parade Theme
Sponsored by McDonald’s
Parks Canada

Judges’ Choice
Sponsored by Domino’s Pizza
Whisperwood Villa

Best Band
Sponsored by Grant Thornton
14 Wing Band

2018 Award Categories and Winners

Most Memorable
Sponsored by RBC
PEI Regiment

Most Energetic
Sponsored by Grant Thornton
Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI

Best First Time Entry
Sponsored by McDonald’s
Love Me Fish and Lobster

Best Presentation of Gold Cup Parade Theme
Sponsored by Domino’s Pizza
DP Murphy

Judges’ Choice
Sponsored by Canadian Tire
Parks Canada

Best Band
Sponsored by Downtown Charlottetown Inc.
Clash Band

2017 Award Categories and Winners

Most Outstanding
Sponsored by RBC
Dreams Take Flight

Most Humorous
Sponsored by Grant Thornton
Bernadette’s Flowers

Best First Time Entry
Sponsored by Canadian Tire
Green Isle Helicopter Tours

Best Volunteer/Service Group
Sponsored by Dominos
Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI

Best Commercial Group
Sponsored by Downtown Charlottetown Inc.
Buttercup Jerseys

Best Band/Majorette Group
Sponsored by Coach Atlantic
Belfast Pipe Band

2016 Award Categories and Winners

Most Outstanding
Sponsored by Downtown Charlottetown Inc.
Northumberland Ferries

Most Humorous
Sponsored by Dominos
Ocean 100 with Kirk and Kerri Wynn and Scott

Best First Time Entry
Sponsored by Canadian Tire
Buttercup Jerseys

Best Volunteer/Service Group
Sponsored by Coach Atlantic
Shriners

Best Commercial Group
Sponsored by Grant Thorton
Parks Canada

Best Band/Majorette Group
Sponsored by RBC
RCMP

2015 Award Categories and Winners

Most Outstanding
Sponsored by Downtown Charlottetown Inc.
Charlottetown Privateers

Most Humorous
Sponsored by Dominos
Ocean 100.3

Best First Time Entry
Sponsored by Canadian Tire
West Royalty Softball Association

Best Volunteer/Service Group
Sponsored by Coach Atlantic
Sherwood Parkdale Lions Club

Best Commercial Entry
Sponsored by City of Charlottetown
Island Abbey Foods

Best Band
Sponsored by CAT
College of Piping